Sunday, August 30, 2009

Chrome bikes have a Posse

Philadelphia is the city of Chrome city bikes. Via Bicycle is now personally responsible for at least 6 chrome city bikes. 3 are owned by employees(well one previous employee) and they are set up super awesome and every bit to ogle over. Photos to come in some post in the future. One is a Carlton built, but badged Huffy from the 1960s. It is set up as a Sturmey Archer 3 speed, with Honjo fenders and Velo Orange Porteur rack and handlebars. One is my old chrome Rudge, also built up as a Sturmey Archer 3 speed, with Velo Orange handlebars, Campagnolo cranks, Mafac brakes, etc. My chrome bike is a French Rochet, currently set up as fixed gear, with Honjo Le Paon style fenders, Velo Orange Handlebars and Porteur rack. All three bikes are set up with inverse levers and to the untrained eye, all three bikes look very similar, all chrome and shiney and all that.

The bike photographed below, a chrome Raleigh, was purchased from the shop, but set up elsewhere. But we still see it as our baby, as it fits into our Chrome Bike Posse. It is set up as a 10 speed, with upright handlebars, Brooks b-72 saddle, Shimano Arabesque 600 drivetrain. It even as a little TA front rack, for good measure.

6 comments:

well Mary, thanks, but this Chrome bicycle is not mine. This is owned by the owner of Tattoo Moms. My old Chrome bike that you have seen a bunch is now owned by Brown Jeff. I have set up a new one,since you moved. I will post about it someday. Someone showed up at the bike shop last week with another chrome bike, set up with upright handlebars, just like this, with inverse brake levers and leather sewn on grips.

This chrome bike was fun for me to build. Most disappointed to find out the crankarm fell off on the first ride! I'm building an early nineties Pinarello Treviso with new campagnolo centaur drivetrain right now, have a 90's record front hub and a new record rear hub laced into campy rims from 2000. Need to find some 90's italian drops for it! Thanks for posting these pictures.